X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

This controversial study says acupuncture may ease baby colic

4 min read
This controversial study says acupuncture may ease baby colic

While the shocking research says it's effective, other experts feel the study isn't really conclusive of the same. So how do you treat baby colic?

Sounds strange, doesn’t it? While I’m aware of the fact that their are specialists in paediatric acupuncture who do treat children, using this technique to treat baby colic seems a bit farfetched.

Going by this report, in a controversial study based out of Sweden, the babies crying of colic may be soothed with acupuncture. However, UK-based experts suggest that a conclusion of this magnitude can’t be made basis such a small study of 147 babies aged between two to eight months.

According to this study, the time the babies spent crying excessively reduced in the group of babies they researched on. However, as distressing and trying it is to attend to baby crying of colic, it’s quite an harmless affliction. There are many ways in which the baby can be soothed, and clearly, acupuncture doesn’t figure in that list.

Colicky babies usually cry uncontrollably for 2-3 hours at a stretch and there is nothing that seems to relieve them. While baby colic is definitely not something you need to worry about as a parent, it is quite unnerving. Watching the infant cry like he in some terrible pain and we are nothing but helpless in his ordeal, is quite distressing.

So how do we help soothe baby colic? Here are some effective tips to keep in mind. A few worked for my girl, when she went through that colicky phase. I hope they help you as well:

  • What are you feeding him: Sometimes babies get irritable because of what we feed them or what the mum consumes if he is on exclusive breastmilk. Try cutting down on one of the two, or make changes in your food pattern. Avoid having gassy stuff and avoid giving him cow's milk. While there is no direct co-relation, it may make them irritable. Also, always remember to burp him after each feed.

baby colic

  • Rhythmic sound or movement helps: Walking or rocking the baby may soothe his colic. You could just hold him close to you and gently rock him back and forth. You could put him in a swing and again, gently rock the swing. On some days my daughter would calm down as soon as we'd secure her in her car seat and go for a drive. The barely-there buzz of the car coupled with the motion would soothe her.
  • Stop judging yourself: Yes, the love of your life is crying and has been crying since the past hour or so. Yes, nothing you do seems to relieve him. But that doesn’t make you an incapable parent. Did you know, colic usually doesn’t have a ‘cure’ as such? So the paediatrician may have given you some gas-relieving drops. But gas could be just one of the many reasons and that medicine need not necessarily work each time.

I recall rushing to the doctor the first time my baby showed signs of colic. I was in tears. The paediatrician, a senior gentleman, looked at me, then looked at the baby and said, "Stop crying." I said, "I don't think she's even listening to you." He snorts, "I was asking you to stop crying. If you intend to cry, be prepared to cry for 3-months, for this is colic and will last for at least that long." Guess what? She was just a week over three months, and I was prepping myself for the colic-cry to begin. It didn't. No, I didn't rush to the doctor to give him a hug. I had a feeling he wasn't into melodrama. So, the point here is, relax. If it's colic, he'll be fine.

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the article, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest from sg.theAsianparent.com!

[Image courtesy: Pixabay

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Divya Nair

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • This controversial study says acupuncture may ease baby colic
Share:
  • Does your baby have colic? Here are 7 things to look out for

    Does your baby have colic? Here are 7 things to look out for

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Does your baby have colic? Here are 7 things to look out for

    Does your baby have colic? Here are 7 things to look out for

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.